Use of Force Awareness Course (Australia) 2026
This course is for security officers and crowd controllers in Australia. It explains what the law says about force: self-defence in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, force when arresting or removing someone, and why talking comes first. It teaches the law only, not physical techniques. Defensive techniques are taught in the accredited training needed for a state or territory security licence; this course is background knowledge only.
En bref
Ce cours gratuit comprend environ 20 minutes de leçons et un test de 25 questions. Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger une attestation de réussite (privée, non accréditée). Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 13 octobre 2026.
Ce que vous allez apprendre
- Explain the rule that force must be reasonable and necessary
- Compare the self-defence laws of NSW, Victoria and Queensland
- Describe the limits on force when arresting or removing a person
- Choose talking and other options before any force
- Recognise the dangers of restraint and act if someone cannot breathe
- Record and report every use of force
Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger votre certificat.
-
Question 1 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. You believed it was necessary, and it was a reasonable response as you saw things
The NSW bench book describes two parts: belief that the act was necessary to defend oneself, and a reasonable response in the circumstances as the person perceived them.
-
Question 2 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. The prosecution, beyond reasonable doubt
The Judicial Commission of NSW bench book says the Crown must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the act was not done in self-defence.
-
Question 3 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Crimes Act 1958, section 322K
Section 322K of the Crimes Act 1958 says a person is not guilty of an offence if they acted in self-defence.
-
Question 4 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Defending another person from harm
The note to s 322K lists defending yourself or another person, preventing unlawful deprivation of liberty, and protecting property.
-
Question 5 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Yes, but the response must still be reasonable
Section 322K lists protecting property as a situation where self-defence may apply, but the conduct must be a reasonable response.
-
Question 6 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. The circumstances as you perceived them at the time
Both laws ask whether the conduct was a reasonable response in the circumstances as the person perceived them.
-
Question 7 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. They did not provoke the assault
Section 271(1) applies when a person is unlawfully assaulted and has not provoked the assault.
-
Question 8 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. It must not be intended, or likely, to cause death or grievous bodily harm
Section 271(1) allows force reasonably necessary to make effectual defence, if it is not intended and not likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm.
-
Question 9 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. No, it is an objective test of what was reasonably needed
The Queensland benchbook says whether the force was reasonably necessary is an objective test.
-
Question 10 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Such force as is reasonably necessary to make the arrest or prevent escape
Section 231 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 sets this limit for police officers and other people making an arrest.
-
Question 11 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. The Criminal Code
Section 16(3) says any use of force against a person under s 16(1) is subject to The Criminal Code Chapter XXVI.
-
Question 12 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. When they stay after an authorised person asks them to leave
NSW Police guidance on section 77 says the fail to quit offence is committed only if the person does not comply with a request to leave and stays on the premises. An authorised person includes the licensee, staff, security and police.
-
Question 13 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. The police
NSW Police guidance on section 77 says a licensee, employee or agent may ask police to remove, or help remove, a person the licensee is entitled to turn out.
-
Question 14 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Use necessary and reasonable force to stop them entering
Section 165A says an authorised person may use necessary and reasonable force to prevent the person from entering premises.
-
Question 15 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Force that is reasonably necessary
WA guidance on s 115 says that if the person does not comply, reasonably necessary force may be used to remove them.
-
Question 16 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Let them go, because the reason for force has ended
Force is only lawful while it is reasonably necessary. Once the person has left, there is no need for more force.
-
Question 17 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Release your hold and let them leave while you watch
A response must stay reasonable in the circumstances. Once the threat has ended, continuing force is no longer a reasonable response.
-
Question 18 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: B. Keep your distance, warn them calmly and call for backup
Self-defence laws require a reasonable response. When the person backs away and is not armed, distance and calm words are usually enough.
-
Question 19 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Early and in a non-aggressive way, to prevent problems
The Victorian guidelines say crowd controllers can prevent problems rather than just react, and should use non-aggressive patron management early.
-
Question 20 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. In licence training from a registered training organisation
The Certificate II in Security Operations includes CPPSEC2106 Protect self and others using basic defensive techniques, delivered through an RTO.
-
Question 21 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Handcuffs
Queensland says the crowd controller licence does not authorise you to carry firearms, handcuffs or batons.
-
Question 22 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. It can stop them breathing properly (asphyxia)
Restraint that presses on the back, chest or neck can cause asphyxia. The NT regulator has issued a practice direction on asphyxia for security licensees.
-
Question 23 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Release the pressure at once, call 000 and give first aid
Trouble breathing is a medical emergency. Release pressure immediately, call Triple Zero (000) and give first aid.
-
Question 24 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. The reason and each crowd controller who made physical contact
WA guidance says the statement must give the reason and how the person was removed, and name each crowd controller who made physical contact.
-
Question 25 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Your actions may later be checked by police or a court
Use-of-force records can be inspected by police and used in court. WA licensed premises registers, for example, can be inspected by police officers.
Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.
À savoir avant l’examen
- In NSW, self-defence has two parts: the person believed the act was necessary, and it was a reasonable response in the circumstances as they saw them.
- Victoria's self-defence law, Crimes Act 1958 s 322K, can cover defending another person and protecting property.
- In Queensland, force against an unprovoked assault must be reasonably necessary and not intended or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm.
- In NSW, a person making an arrest may use only the force that is reasonably necessary to make the arrest or stop an escape.
- In WA, when force is used to remove someone from licensed premises, the licensee must record a statement naming each crowd controller who made physical contact.
Questions fréquentes
Can a security officer use force in Australia?
Only where the law allows it, such as self-defence, defending others, a lawful arrest or removing a person who refuses to leave licensed premises. The force must be reasonable and necessary, and it must stop when the need ends.
Can I carry handcuffs or a baton?
Not unless your licence and state law allow it. A Queensland crowd controller licence does not authorise firearms, handcuffs or batons, and WA crowd controllers may not carry any weapon.
Does this course teach restraint or defensive techniques?
No. Physical skills must be learned in person from a registered training organisation as part of licence training, such as the unit on basic defensive techniques in the Certificate II in Security Operations. This course covers the law and de-escalation only.
What should I do after using force?
Make sure anyone hurt gets first aid or an ambulance on 000, tell your supervisor, and write a full report as soon as possible. At some venues, such as WA licensed premises, extra records are required.
L’attestation est-elle accréditée ou reconnue officiellement ?
Non. C’est une attestation de réussite privée, uniquement pour vos connaissances. Elle n’est reconnue, accréditée ni approuvée par aucun gouvernement, organisme de délivrance des permis, autorité de réglementation ou établissement d’enseignement, et elle ne remplace aucun permis, aucune certification ni aucune formation exigés par la loi.
Sources
- Self-defence: Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book (Judicial Commission of NSW)
- Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 322K Self-defence (AustLII)
- Self-defence s 271(1) Criminal Code: Supreme Court Benchbook (Queensland Courts)
- Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW) s 231 (AustLII)
- Criminal Investigation Act 2006 (WA)
- Fail to quit (licensed premises) walkthrough (NSW Police Force)
- Refusing entry to premises, Liquor Act 1992 s 165A: Magistrates Court Benchbook (Queensland Courts)
- Incident register at licensed premises (WA Government)